Israeli vote on ceasefire delayed as Gazans hope deal will bring lasting peace

Read the Full Transcript

• Geoff Bennett:

  Israel's Cabinet has delayed a vote until tomorrow on the cease-fire deal struck yesterday to suspend the war in Gaza and swap hostages and detainees.

• Amna Nawaz:

  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the delay, saying the militant group was trying to change the deal, a charge Hamas has denied.

  In the meantime, American and Egyptian mediators met in Cairo to discuss implementing the deal, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday.

  Nick Schifrin once again begins our coverage.

• Nick Schifrin:

  Today, in the blown-out destruction of what was once home to half-a-million people, where children play in the ruins of what used to be Khan Yunis homes, there is tension between the horror caused by 468 days of war and hope that it will soon be over, as young Gazans told us, 14-year-old Raghad Mohamad Al Zdoudi.

  Raghad Mohamad Al Zdoudi, 14 Years Old (through interpreter): We couldn't wait to hear this news because our hearts are tired. We really couldn't wait for something to heal our hearts. Finally, the end of the war is coming.

• Nick Schifrin:

  Sixteen-year-old Ahmed Al Nabahin.

  Ahmed Al-Nabahin, 16 Years Old (through interpreter): The most difficult moment was hearing that my father had been killed. I'm scared because the Israelis still haven't retreated, and even though there is a cease-fire, nothing has changed yet.

• Nick Schifrin:

  Because, in this war zone, the war rages on.

  In Gaza City today, the youngest victims received reassurance that the adults can no longer feel.

• Tamer Abu Shaaban, Victim’s Uncle (through interpreter):

  Is this the truce they are talking about? What did this young girl, this child, do to deserve this? Is she fighting you, Israel? Where are the Arabs? Where are the Muslims? No one has any conscience.

• Nick Schifrin:

  Israel says, over the last day-and-a-half, it struck more than 50 Hamas military sites and a commander who participated in the October 7 attacks.

  Palestinian health officials say, since the cease-fire was announced, more than 75 Gazans have been killed.

• Mahmoud Abu Wardeh, Gaza City Resident (through interpreter):

  We urge the mediators who brokered this truce to hurry up. Today is better than tomorrow. Seven is better than eight, because there are martyrs every hour.

• Nick Schifrin:

  But the deal that would pause the war for six weeks is not done, said Israeli government spokesman David Mencer.

• David Mencer, Spokesperson, Israeli Prime Minister’s Office:

  But Hamas have reneged on this hostage release agreement and has created a last-minute crisis in an effort to extort last-minute concessions.

• Nick Schifrin:

  But, in Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he remained confident.

  Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State: It's not exactly surprising that, in a process, in a negotiation that has been this challenging and this fraught, you may get a loose end. We're tying up that loose end as we speak.

• Man:

  Please, sir, respect the process. Thank you.

• Man:

  Oh, respect the process. Respect this process while everybody from the…

• Nick Schifrin:

  But Blinken was interrupted by two protests, including one ended by armed security.

• Man:

  And you're telling me to respect of process. Criminals. Why aren't you in The Hague?

• Nick Schifrin:

  There were also protests today in Israel. Supporters of hard-right politicians called the cease-fire a surrender to Hamas that would end up killing Israelis.

  National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir vowed to resign from the coalition government.

• Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israeli National Security Minister (through interpreter):

  The existing deal increases Hamas' appetite and motivation. This deal is letting them attack, explode and kidnap and get what they want.

• Nick Schifrin:

  But the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza are demanding the government sign the deal. They're anxious. Officially, at least one-third of the hostages are dead. Many do not know whether to plan a celebration or funeral.

  Tal Haimi has been a hostage since October 7. Udi Goren is his cousin.

  Udi Goren, Cousin of Hamas Hostage: The vast difference between the daily anxiousness about might this be their last day on Earth to the fact that some of these people by next week might have their loved ones sleeping in the bedroom next to them.

• Nick Schifrin:

  Until then, they pray for peace.

  For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.